Key-locking device



May 1, 1:923.

H. E. LORENTZ KEY LOCKING DEVICE Filed Dec. 8, 1921 Patented May 1,1923.

HENRY E. LORENTZ, or WASHINGTON, nrsrnrcror COLUMBIA;

KEY-LOCKING nnvrcn! Application fil ed December a, 1921. Serial No.520,924.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, HENRY LosnN'rz, citizenof the United States, residing at Washington, Districtof Columbia, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Key-Locking Devices, ofwhich the following is a specification.

I This invention relates to a simple device for preventing the removalof a key from its lock, fromthe outside of the door by an unauthorizedperson, and is particularly applicable to the conventional type of doorke T lhe principal object of the invention is to provide an adequate andefficient means of maintaining the key within the look, so that said keycan be secured therein from the in-v side, and the key-locking means soengaged with the shank of the door knob, as to make it impossible, fromthe outside to either remove said key or its retaining means.

Another object is to construct the device so that it will accommodateitself to most any size key and lock, and at all times, when inoperative position, snugly embrace the shank of the door knob regardlessof the size thereof within reasonable limits.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of thischaracter, simple in construction and operation, and one that can bemanufactured to sell at a minimum cost.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 illustrates the device inoperative position and the manner of removing the same.

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof.

Fig. 3 shows the manner of applying the device.

Fig. 4: illustrates a modified construction thereof.

Referring to the drawings in detalls, the I improved device ispreferably constructed of a single piece of wire, bent to produce anupper eye or loop, 1, said loop being formed nearer one end of the wirethan the other, resulting in a long and short leg extending from saidloop. In'the preferred construc tion the legs are crossed at the base ofthe loop and beginning at this point of intersection said legs are bentin reverse. curves 2 and 3, toward each other, forming conjointly.substantially an open ring, adapted to embrace the shank, 4, of theconventional type of door knob, the longer leg, however, forming thegreater portion of said ring. The shorter leg is then bent sharply inthe reverse direction at substantially aright angle, leaving a straightoutwardly and downwardly extended portion, 5, for the purpose ofmanipulation, as will hereinafter appear from the operation of thedevice. The longer leg beginning at the ring is bent straight downwardlyfor a relatively longer distance, as at 6, and then bent sharplyupwardly as at 7 forming a V shaped spring likev member adapted to beinserted through the ha-n- I dle of the key, 8, as will be not-ed uponreferring to the various figures of, the. drawlng. 1 p

In the modification as illustrated ,in; Fig. 4, the legs are not crossedas previouslydescribed but merely meetat the base of the loop and fromthere bent in a manner similar to the preferred construction.

From the foregoing description, the operatlon of the device, it isbelieved, will be perfectly obvious. Assuming that the door has beenlocked and the key turned, and it is desirous to secure the key in thisposition, the lower tapered end of the device is inserted through thehandle'of the key, and simul taneously therewith the short extension, 5,andthe downward extension, 6, are pressed into engagement with the shank4, of the door knob. A continued pressure inthis direction will open thering formed by the inwardly curved portions 2 and 3, until the same passover and completely embraces said shank, the above described operationbeing clearly illustrated in Fig. 3.- Owing to the peculiar constructionof the two part shank engaging ring and the tapered spring like keyengaging portion of the device, the same will conveniently adapt itselfto various sizes of keys and locks, which is a very important anddesirable feature in devices of this character. In addition by reason.of the spring like ring, and the opening thereof being substantially onthe side, the device will at all times when in operative positionbesecurely clamped to the shank of the door knob, and any upward movementthereof for displacing the same will be prevented. f

To remove the device from the doorknob and key, it is only necessary toexert an upward pressure on the extension 5, (Fig. 1), to open the shankembracing ring and sub sequently force the device to one side to clearthe door knob, whereupon the tapered key engaging portion can be readilyremoved from the key What I claim is: t

l. A key retaining device comprising a re silient open ring portionnormally closed and a downwardly extending key engaging portion, andmeans for expanding said ring portion to snap over and embracethe shankof a door knob, following the insertion of the key engaging portionwithin the handle of the key.

2. A key retaining device, comprising a resilient ring portion adaptedto open on the between which the shank of a door knob is wedged foropening said ring during the application of the device, one of said legsbeing longer than the other and extending downwardly in a position to beinserted into the handle of the key.

4. A key retaining device comprising an upper closed handle portion, anintermediate expandible and contractable circular door knobshank-embracing portion, and a resiliently adjustable downwardlyextending key engaging portion.

5. A key retaining device constructed of spring wire, comprising anupper bent closed handle portion, an intermediate resilient open ringportion and a resiliently adjustable downwardly extending key engagingportion.

6. A key retaining device constructed of spring wire, comprising anupper loop or handle portion, an intermediate resilient open ringportionadapted to snap over and embrace the shank of a door knob,- theopening in said ring being to one side of the vertical axis of thedevice, an outwardly and downwardlyprojecting short leg extending fromsaid ring adjacent the open side thereof and a relatively long,downwardly projecting leg forming another extension of said ring fromthe other side of said opening, between which legs the shank of a doorknob is wedged for opening said ring during the application of thedevice, said long leg being again bent upwardly to form a V shapedresiliently adjustable portion adapted to be inserted in the handling ofthe key;

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HENRY E; LORENTZ.

